Badenoch artist just misses out on prestigious Highland Art Prize

A Badenoch artist has just missed out on a prestigious art prize with his creation of Ruthven Barracks by Kingussie surrounded by floodwaters.

Bob Kinnaird had been shortlisted for the 2023 Highland Art Prize but lost out to David Greenall, from An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides, who claimed the honour with his artwork Crofts at South Dell (Croitean aig Dail bho Dheas).

The winning artwork was selected by Ishbel Murray, an artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, and announced at a well-attended prize-giving at The Briggait in Glasgow.

Outlining the reasoning for her choice, Murray commented that: “David’s artwork captures the atmospheric essence of this crofting location by the sea through a highly sensitive use of colour involving the demanding method of blending pigment and wax to achieve a shimmering effect in an image that has been beautifully reduced to its essential elements.”

The final shortlist of 12 was whittled down from 74 artworks all with a Highlands and Islands theme.

Mr Greenall receives £1,000 to be shared with his local art organisation as well as an exhibition opportunity at the Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps Studios, the charity that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland.

Mr Kinnaird is a member of the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists and is well-known to many in the area through his career which including being at the helm of Cairngorm Mountain and BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) as well as a member of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's board.

SBBA spokesman Roy Alexander congratulated Mr Kinnaird on doing so well to make the shortlist.

He continued: "This painting was one of five selected from the annual summer exhibition of the SBSA to be exhibited in the exhibition in Glasgow.

"Bob in his own inimitable style has recently produced five paintings which are to be featured in Aviemore Station in the same way that posters are displayed in Kingussie Station."

"All these are of local views mainly featuring lochs in Badenoch and Strathspey."

The Highland Art Prize is organised by The Highland Society of London and Wasps Studios.

The prize-giving was attended by many of the 74 artists from 16 art organisations across the Highlands and Islands who had submitted artworks to this annual exhibition and competition. Lady Of The Flowers by Leah David from the Society of Caithness Artists was also highly commended by Ishbel Murray.

Welcoming everyone to The Briggait, Audrey Carlin, chief executive of Wasps Studios, said: “It is Wasps’ pleasure to host the Highland Art Prize this year, and be in a position to host 2022 Highland Art Prize winner David Page’s stunning exhibition.

"The Briggait has been bristling with colour and energy. We were delighted with such a strong turnout on the day, making the Highland Art Prize announcement all the more enjoyable. Congratulations to our winner and to all entrants.

"The quality and diversity of works has been extraordinary. It seems that the Highland Art Prize has a bright future.”

The winner of the next Highland Art Prize will be announced in Oban during October 2024.

The 2023 Highland Art Prize was also supported by Renfrewshire Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

The Highland Society of London is a charity which promotes and supports the traditions and culture of the Highlands of Scotland. Amongst many activities, the society annually presents the Highland Art Prize and the Highland Book Prize.

The shortlisted artworks can be viewed and bought in the gallery by clicking here

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